Returning Iraq war veteran Ray McKenna struggles with battle scars that can only be healed by love. Ray, who has been through hell and back, finds solace in her friendship with veterinarian Dr. Carly Warner, as they navigate their attraction for each other and forge a tentative relationship while dealing with their own unique traumas. The story delves into themes of PTSD, trauma, healing, and finding love amidst personal struggles.

Characters:

The characters are multi-dimensional, facing their own struggles and growing together through their shared experiences.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is emotional and engaging, effectively blending romantic and serious themes.

Plot/Storyline:

The story centers on Ray, an Iraq war veteran facing PTSD, and her journey of healing while developing a complex relationship with Carly.

Setting:

The setting provides a backdrop of calmness contrasting Ray's turbulent emotions and public scrutiny.

Pacing:

The pacing tends to fluctuate, sometimes glossing over important relationship developments, which can impact emotional depth.

Ray McKenna sat on her brand-new leather couch, struggling to breathe with the acrid dust of the Iraqi desert burning her nose. Outside her Bodega Bay home, waves crashed against the rocky shore and s...

Notes:

The main character, Ray, struggles with PTSD after returning from Iraq where she was held hostage.

Ray forms a complicated relationship with Carly, a veterinarian, exploring themes of healing and love.

The book features a unique representation of flawed, relatable characters in a lesbian romance.

Meghan O'Brien is noted for her well-written intimate scenes, balancing eroticism with emotional depth.

The story touches on difficult subjects including trauma and the challenges of moving forward after loss.

Carly has her own past trauma, losing her partner and unborn child, which complicates her relationship with Ray.

The novel has been praised for its sensitivity and realistic character development.

The support dog, Jagger, plays a significant role in Ray's healing process, highlighting the benefits of therapy animals.

Readers noted the book is both a romance and a serious exploration of mental health issues.

The author, Meghan O'Brien, is recommended for her ability to weave emotional storylines with intricate character dynamics.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

There are significant content warnings for PTSD, trauma, grief from loss, and discussions surrounding military experiences.

Has Romance?

There is a high level of romance in the book, focusing on the relationship between Ray and Carly.

explicit steam level

From The Publisher:

Ray McKenna returns from the war in Iraq to find she has attained unwanted celebrity status as the result of surviving a well-publicized hostage crisis. She relies on psychiatric therapy dog Jagger to help her through her PTSD. When she meets vet Carly Warner, they begin a friendship which takes them both by surprise.

Reader Stats (1):

Not Interested (1)

What can you read after
Battle Scars?

About the Author:

Born in a suburb of Detroit, Michigan, Meghan O'Brien relocated to Windsor, California in October 2005. As a recent transplant, she's enjoying the moderate weather and gorgeous scenery of the Bay Area. Meghan lives with her partner Angie, their two-year-old son, three cats, and three dogs. Yes, it can be just as chaotic as it sounds.

Meghan works as a web developer for a major corporation, but her real passion is writing. From her humble beginnings creating numerous "books" out of construction paper and crayons as soon as she learned to write, to her two published novels and various anthology contributions in the past five years, writing is what makes her feel most complete.

Meet New Books is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a way for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to products and services on amazon.com and its subsidiaries.
When you click the Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commision, at no cost to you.

Activity

Recommendations

My Stuff

Account

More

Battle Scars

Meghan O'Brien